CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Four police officers trying to apprehend a North Carolina man were killed by gunfire as soon as they approached, authorities said Tuesday. Announced.
Still reeling from Monday's deadly attack on a U.S. law enforcement officer since 2016, Charlotte investigators say they don't know if there was a second gunman and don't know what happened. He said further research is needed to find out why.
“Charlotte won't be the last place this happens,” Mayor Vi Lyles said, “but Charlotte will be a place of healing, and it will be healed with dignity and respect for all people.” It will happen,” he said.
A task force made up of officers from various agencies arrived in the suburban area and located Terry Clark Hughes Jr., 39, a former felon wanted on the run for firearms possession in northern Lincoln County. tried to arrest him. Carolina.
Those killed were identified as Sam Poloche and William Elliott of the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Joshua Eyer. and Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks. Four other officers were injured and Hughes was killed in the shootout.
An AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a .40 caliber handgun and ammunition were found at the scene.
The AR-15 can penetrate traditional body armor, and the shooter “was able to fire several rounds at the officer within seconds,” Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said. Ta.
He said more than 100 spent bullets were found, but it was not clear how many of them were fired by the suspect. At least 12 police officers also opened fire.
“Despite the officers' efforts to take cover, the suspect was at a disadvantage because he was high up and was firing back from a low position,” Jennings said. '' he added.
It was the deadliest single incident for U.S. law enforcement since 2016, when five police officers were killed by a sniper during protests in Dallas.
Hughes' criminal history in North Carolina dates back more than a decade. That includes prison time and convictions for trespassing, reckless driving, evading arrest and illegal possession of a firearm as a former felon, according to state records.
Two women in the home, including a minor, cooperated but have not been charged, Jennings said, adding that investigators are not pursuing additional suspects.
Jennings said Monday that a second gunman is suspected of firing at police. But by Tuesday, he was less adamant, saying the possibility was still being confirmed.
After a three-hour standoff, the house was torn apart. An armored vehicle crashed into it, destroying the entire window and doorway and leaving it broken. Several armored vehicles were parked across the yard, some with tree branches hanging from them.
Before answering questions from reporters Tuesday, officials expressed their sadness and reverence for the dead and injured officers.
Mr. Eyer was recently recognized as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer of the Month for his work in getting guns off the streets. The chief said he died while responding to help others facing gunfire at the scene.
“We saw … police officers jump into the line of fire to save our brothers and sisters who lost their lives to keep our community safe. To me, that's truly heroic.” Jennings said.
Neighbors said the shooting continued for several minutes. Lissa Lane was cleaning her house when she heard her first gunshot. There was a pause, followed by her second set of shots, followed by her third.
“When we came out, there were no cops at all. Then the cops started rushing, rushing, rushing, rushing in,” she said, adding that an armored SWAT truck quickly followed. , adding, “Across the grass and everything, and then they started shooting again.''
Alex Rivera, who lives on a nearby street, said the area is very safe, with one- and two-story brick homes and small mowed lawns.
“I saw about 50 police cars approaching. Then I heard gunshots,” he said from the front door of the house he shares with his cousin. “It was scary because there was so much going on.”
The last sheriff to die in the line of duty was in November 2018. Chase White was shot and killed in Tucson, Arizona by a man wanted by local police for stalking.
Headquartered in Charlotte, the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force is comprised of 70 federal, state, and local agencies that work together to apprehend criminal suspects.
“This is a loss for the entire country,” said Ronald Davis, head of the Marshal's Services, who visited Charlotte. “When you lose a lieutenant, when you lose a task force officer, it's like losing a family member. Frankly. I mean, they're family,” he said.
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John Raby in Charleston, West Virginia, contributed to this report. Sarah Brumfield of Silver Spring, Maryland; Leah Willingham of Charleston, West Virginia; and Ed White of Detroit.